620 Senator
McLucas: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry—

(1) How
many sheep died en route to the Middle East on each of the following
ships that departed Australia in July 2002: (a) the Cormo Express ; (b) the Corriedale Express ; (c) the Al Shuwaikh ; and (d) the Al Messilah .

(2) For
each vessel: (a) what percentage of sheep died; and (b) from which geographic
location or region were these sheep sourced.

(3) (a)
When did these vessels depart Australia; and (b) from which Australian
port did they sail.

(4) For
each vessel, what was the final destination of the sheep onboard.

(5) (a)
When did these vessels arrive in the Middle East; and (b) at which ports
did the surviving sheep disembark.

(6) For
each vessel, how many sheep survived the journey.

(7) At
what location, or locations, were the dead sheep thrown overboard.

(8) How
many crew were on board each vessel.

(9) For
each vessel, how many crew members were concerned with animal welfare
and management issues during the journey.

(10) (a)
When was the department first advised of reportable sheep deaths onboard
the vessels Cormo Express , Corriedale Express , Al Shuwaikh and Al Messilah ; (b) who provided that advice; and (c) what form
did that advice take.

(11) (a)
When was the Minister first advised of reportable sheep deaths onboard
the vessels Cormo Express , Corriedale Express , Al Shuwaikh and Al Messilah ; (b) who provided that advice; and (c) what form
did that advice take.

(12) Has
the number of dead sheep been adjusted subsequent to the receipt of
original advice in this matter by the Minister and the department; if
so: (a) when was advice of the number of dead sheep adjusted; and (b)
what was the source of the new information.

(13) Did
the vessels Cormo Express , Corriedale Express , Al Shuwaikh and Al Messilah sail under an Australian flag; if not, under the
flag, or flags, of which country, or countries, did each sail.

(14) Which
companies own and/or operate each of these ships.

(15) What
percentage of equity in these companies is Australian-owned.

(16) Which
livestock export companies were contracted to transport these sheep.

(17) What
percentage of equity in these companies is Australian-owned.

(18) Have
these companies been involved in any incident in the past 10 financial
years, where mortality rates of Australian-sourced animals during live
export have exceeded the acceptable level established by applicable
Commonwealth or state laws and/or industry codes of practice; if so:
(a) when did these incidents occur; (b) what type and breed of animals
perished; and (c) in what numbers.

(19) From
which geographic locations were the deceased animals sourced for each
voyage by these companies in the past 10 financial years where the maximum
acceptable mortality rate, as established by applicable Commonwealth
or state laws and/or industry codes of practice, was exceeded.

(20) (a)
What investigations occurred in respect to these incidents; and (b) what
adverse findings, if any, were made in respect to these companies.

(21) Has
the Minister agreed to undertake any investigation into the reportable
sheep deaths on the vessels Cormo Express , Corriedale Express , Al Shuwaikh and Al Messilah , that departed Australia in July 2002; if so: (a) which
agency or agencies will conduct the investigation; (b) when will the
investigation be concluded; and (c) will the results of the investigation
be released to the public.

(22) Has
the Minister undertaken any interim measures to protect the welfare
of future live sheep exports on these vessels; if so: (a) what measures
have been introduced; (b) when did these measures become effective;
and (c) are these measures specific to these vessels or do they apply
to all live sheep exports.

(23) How
many sheep have died in transit as part of Australia’s live sheep
export trade, in each year for the past 10 financial years.

(24) What
changes have been made to Commonwealth or state laws and/or industry
codes of practice over the past 10 financial years to reduce mortality
rates onboard live sheep carriers.

(25) Has
the department, or any other agency, undertaken an assessment of the
effectiveness of these changes in reducing sheep mortality rates.

(26) Does
the sheep mortality rate on ships bound for the Middle East increase
during the period May to October; if so, is this increased mortality
rate related to climate.